The Fruit Symbols Era, Herbert Mills and the Operator Bell It wasn’t long after Charles Fey’s success that another innovator stepped in to take things further.  Herbert Mills, a manufacturer from Chicago, decided to shake things up in 1907 with his own twist: the “Operator Bell”.  This version of the Liberty Bell added bright, colorful fruit symbols—like cherries, lemons, and plums — as well as the now-famous BAR symbol, which actually came from the Bell-Fruit Gum Company logo.  However, the fruit symbols weren't just there for aesthetic appeal; they also served a clever function. It made the game less about gambling and more about, well, enjoying a little treat by giving winners a stick of fruit-flavored gum instead of cash.

 

This tactic not only helped avoid legal problems, but it also gave rise to the term "fruit machines," which is still used a lot in the United Kingdom. It was a clever, fun workaround that made the game more acceptable in different settings while maintaining the excitement. Suddenly, these machines weren’t limited to just saloons anymore — they started popping up in candy stores and amusement parks too.  It was an approach that not only expanded the audience but kept the slot machine culture thriving in a more family-friendly way. 

 

Bally's Money Honey: The Revolution in Electromechanical Technology When Bally introduced "Money Honey," the first fully electromechanical slot machine, in 1963, the slot machine industry underwent significant change. Up until then, everything was purely mechanical — full of springs, gears, and levers.  With “Money Honey,” things shifted towards using electrical components.  It’s like the difference between starting a car with a hand-crank versus a push-start button — “Money Honey” made playing slots much smoother and even allowed for bigger, more complicated payouts. 

 

The machine still kept the familiar lever, often called the “one-armed bandit,” but now, instead of mechanical gears turning the reels, they were powered by electrical circuits. Quite literally, this new design added more bells and whistles. The flashing lights, the dinging sounds, all contributed to a much more immersive slot experience.  These slot machines were no longer just about winning or losing; instead, they were becoming a spectacle for the eyes.

 

The introduction of “Money Honey” set the stage for slots to become the main attraction in casinos during the 1960s and 1970s.  The thrill, the fun, and the lights that drew you in weren't just about the wager. Video Slots: From Reels to Screens The next major leap in slot machine history happened in 1976, when the Fortune Coin Company rolled out the very first video slot machine.  Check out slot online.

 

This game displayed the digital reels on a television screen rather than the traditional physical reels. Imagine a 19-inch Sony TV set up inside a slot cabinet—players suddenly had a whole new way to experience the game.  The potential for graphics and animations seemed almost limitless, like going from a flipbook to a full movie.